Apparatus for slitting rolls of cloth



April 23, 1963 E. R. JOHNSON 3,086,415

APPARATUS FOR SLITTING ROLLS OF CLOTH Filed Nov. 20, 1958 2-Sheets$heet 1 INVENTOR. Edward R. Jo/znsow BY 1 Mmrz iiddy, Daniels (Y A larch ATTORNEYS E. R. JOHNSON APPARATUS FOR SLITTING ROLLS 0F CLOTH April 23, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 20, 1958 INVENTOR. Edward R. Jo/zrzsom MmflJ i y, Da/ziels d7 Mdl'C/L ATTORNEYS United States Patent ()fiice 3,086,415 Patented Apr. 23, 1963 3,086,415 APPARATUS FOR SLITTIN G ROLLS F CLOTH Edward R. Johnson, Valley Stream, N.Y., assignor to Lever Bias Machine Corp., New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Nov. 20, 1958, Ser. No. 775,223 15 Claims. (Cl. 82-49) This invention relates to machines which are adapted to slit, or cut off portions of, rolls of cloth and the like, and more particularly to automatically or semi-automatically operative machines of this type.

The invention concerns improvements in the roll slitting or cutting apparatus of the copending application of Emil Leiss, Carl Bayer and Leonard Krautheim, owned by the same assignee as the present application and entitled Apparatus for SlittingRolls of Cloth and Method Therefor, filed February 25, 1958, Serial No. 717,528.

In the apparatus of the copending application abovereferred-to the machine bed or frame upon which the rotating roll is carried has a carriage which is arranged for shifting movement in a direction parallel to the axis of the roll, the said carriage having mounted on it a power-driven rotary knife which may be advanced against the roll to cut 01f various portions thereof. The rotary knife is movable between a fully advanced position wherein it has cut completely through the roll and a fully retracted position wherein it is appreciably separated and spaced from the roll, in readiness for the carriage to be shifted to a succeeding or indexed position wherein the knife is positioned in line with another portion of the roll, to cut through the same. The advancing and retracting movements of the knife, and the advancing or indexing movements of the carriage are automatically affected, and upon each retracting movement of the knife it is engaged by and subjected to a conditioning device which, in the apparatus disclosed not only sharpens the knife edge but also waxes the knife to facilitate the cutting operation.

In the prior apparatus referred to the power driven rotary knife is always brought back or retracted to a fixed position widely separated or spaced from the coil, at which position the conditioning of the knife takes place. In other words, the extent of retraction of the knife is of a fixed nature, and such extent is of course a factor which determines in large part the cycle time of the apparatus. Such cycle time is therefore fixed and set at a maximum value, being determined by the back stroke of the knife, which is arranged to be a maximum in order to enable the apparatus to accommodate the largestdiameter rolls, as well as rolls of smaller diameter. Such construction accordingly was not especially saving of time, where rolls of smaller diameter were to be slit.

This characteristic of the apparatus of the copending application above-referred-to is obviated by the present invention, and one object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus or machine for slitting or cutting rolls of cloth and other sheet material, wherein the cycle time involving the factor of the back travel of the powered knife may be appreciably reduced, especially when the apparatus is arranged to cut rolls of smaller diameters.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved roll cutting apparatus of the type outlined above,

wherein the cycle time, involving the factor of the stroke of the powered knife, is adjustable by virtue of the stroke of the knife being made adjustable, thereby to enable rolls of lesser diameter to be completely out into small spools in a shorter time than was heretofore possible.

A further object of the invention is to provide .an improved machine or apparatus as above characterized, wherein a safety means is incorporated for preventing inadvertent forward movement of the powered knife at the time that the operator is adjusting the latter to the roll which is to be slit.

A feature of the invention resides in the provision of a novel safety means as above set forth, which is rendered inoperative by an electrical device during the operation of the machine, the arrangement being such that failure of the electrical power to said device for any reason will automatically cause the locking means to become operative so as to maintain the powered knife in its retracted, non-working position.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated herein the working stroke of the powered knife is effected by means of an air powered plunger or motor, which is connected with the knife mounting means to shift the same in a direction which advances the knife against the rotating roll which is to be cut.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and simplified adjustment device by which the position of the knife mounting means with respect to the air-powered plunger or motor may be varied and adjusted, to obtain the most effective action of the knife with various conditions of use. 7

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of improved means for automatically holding or maintaining the air powered plunger in its retracted or starting position at the time that the knife mounting means is adjusted with respect to the said plunger.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved machine for slitting or cutting rolls of sheet material, which has all of the above advantages and features and is nevertheless extremely simple in its construction, reliable in its functioning, and economical to fabricate and produce.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the drawings accompanying this specification, similar characters of reference are used wherever possible to designate like components throughout the several views, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a powered rotary knife, knife-conditioning device, and associated mechanism constituting a portion of a roll slitting apparatus as provided by the invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the organization shown in FIG. 1, with the motor for the knife omitted.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the organization of FIGS. 1 and 2, with the motor omitted.

Referring first to FIG. 1 the horizontal rails of a rollslitting or cutting machine of the type under consideration is indicated by the numerals 10 and 11. It will be understood that such rails are carried by a machine bed or sociated mechanism and assemblies are not given herein for reasons of clarity and since they are not involved directly with the present invention. Reference may be had to the copending application above referred to, for a complete disclosure of such details and of an entire roll-slitting machine of the type suitable for use with the organization of the invention as herein disclosed.

On the horizontal rails and 11 a carriage or base 12 is carried, as by means of suitable rollers or wheels 13. The carriage 12 may be advanced or indexed along the rails 10 and 11 by any suitable mechanism, as will be readily understood, one such mechanism being illustrated and described in the above-referred-to copending application.

In FIG. 1 there is illustrated in broken outline a roll 15 of cloth or other sheet material, carried by a mandrel or shaft 16 which is supported on the machine frame for rotation in any suitable manner.

For the purpose of cutting or slitting the roll 15 into a number of separate narrow spools there is provided a power-driven rotary knife 18 carried by a knife bracket 19 having a pair of spaced arms 2%}, as shown in FIGS. 1-3. The knife bracket 19 has a wide base portion 21 through which a shaft 22 extends, the said shaft being mounted in upstanding blocks 23 which are provided on the carriage 12. Thus, the rotary knife 18 is movably mounted on the carriage 12 and may be swung through an are having its center in the shaft 22. Movement of the knife 18 along the said arc from right to left as viewed in FIG. 1 will advance the knife on the roll 15. In this figure the powered knife 18 is shown in its retracted inoperative position spaced an appreciable distance to the right of the roll 15.

Power for turning the knife blade 18 is supplied by an electric motor 25 mounted on a depending base plate 26 secured to the carriage 12. The motor 25 may have a pulley and belt drive as indicated by the broken outlines in FIG. 1. A portion of such belt drive is indicated by the numeral 28 in FIG. 2, said drive including a pulley 29 which is turnable about the shaft 22. Fixed to the pulley 29 is a similar pulley 30 also carried by the shaft 22, around which a belt 31 passes, said belt driving a pulley 32 which is affixed to the spindle 34 on which the knife blade 18 is mounted. By such organization power may be imparted from the motor 25 to the knife 18 for the various positions of the knife and the knife bracket 19, since the pivotal center of the knife bracket coincides with the axis of the shaft 22 on which the intermediary pulleys 29 and '30 are carried.

In accordance with the present invention the knife 18 engages and is subjected to the action of a knife-conditioning device whenever it is brought to its fully retracted position as shown in FIG. 1, and the said fully retracted position may be changed or varied, meaning that the stroke of the knife 18 is varied, Without losing the functioning of the knife-conditioning device. Thus, by being able to vary the stroke of the knife 18 the time required for such stroke may be varied, and since this constitutes a factor in the overall cycle time of the machine, the said cycle time may be shortened appreciably whenever it is not necessary to employ a large stroke of the knife 18 in slitting or cutting the roll 15. Thus, an appreciable saving of time in the cycling of the machine may be effected when the rolls 15 are of the smaller sizes or diameters.

The above adjustability of the stroke of the knife 18 is accomplished without losing the functioning of the knife-conditioning device, by the provision of a movable or adjustable mounting means for said device by which the latter may be shifted or adjustably positioned with respect to the base 121 without altering the operable relationship of the device as it relates to the knife. With such organization it is then possible to halt the knife 18 in its retracting movement at various different positions, either more or less retracted, while still enabling the knife conditioning means to be engaged by the knife each time that it is retracted. Preferably the mounting for the knifeconditioning device is of a pivotal nature and has a center of movement which coincides with the center of movement of the knife mounting bracket 19. Thus, the knife conditioning device may be adjustably shifted and positioned with respect to the base 12 while always retaining a proper operable relationship with respect to the knife 18. Moreover, such operable relationship may be predetermined and fixed, and both the mounting means for the knife and the mounting means for the knife-conditioning device may be adjustably positioned as a unit, for the purpose of varying the stroke of the knife.

The above advantageous organization is accomplished as follows: As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the knife-conditioning device may be constituted of a grinding wheel 36 carried on the shaft '37 of a grinder motor 38, the latter being mounted on a swing plate 39 pivotally secured to a mounting bracket 40 by means of a pivot bolt 41.

As shown in FIG. 1, the motor mounting bracket 40 has a dovetail slot 42 receiving a mating dovetail projection 43 which is carried by a grinding motor frame 45. The motor bracket 45) is adjustably shiftable with respect to the frame 45, by virtue of the dovetail slot and projection 42, 43 and a fine adjustment may be effected by means of a screw 4-7 having a knurled head 48 as seen in FIG. 2.

The grinding motor frame 4 5 has a pair of arms 50 and 51 which are turnably carried by the shaft 22 mounted on the carriage 12. Thus, the grinding wheel 36 and grinder motor 38 is pivotally carried by the carriage 12 and movable about the same axis as the knife 18 and knife bracket 19.

The knife-conditioning device further comprises a waxing means having a yoke member 53 provided with arms 54 and 55 on which waxing elements 56 and 57 respectively are carried. The yoke member 53, FIGS. 1 and 3, is pivotally mounted on an upstanding waxer bracket arm 59 in turn pivotally secured at its lower extremity to a rear extension or arm 61 provided on the grinding motor frame 45. The waxer bracket 59 has a sector portion 63 provided with an arcuate slot 64 through which a binding screw 65 extends, said screw being threaded into the extension 61 and providing for adjustable positioning of the waxer bracket arm 59.

The waxing device further includes a waxer solenoid 67 having a plunger 68 engaging an arm 69 of the yoke member 53, thereby to pivotally shift the latter between operative and inoperative positions. As seen in FIG. 1, the yoke member 53 is in its operative position, having been swung counterclockwise about its pivotal mounting by virtue of its solenoid 67 having been energized. When the solenoid 67 is de-energized, the yoke member 53 returns under the action of a return spring (not shown) in a clockwise direction to a retracted position wherein the waxing elements 56 and 57 are out of engagement with the knife blade 18.

A predetermined operable position of the knife-conditioning device with respect to the knife blade 18 and knife bracket 19 is established by the provision of cooperable abutments carried by the knife bracket or mounting mans and also the mounting means for the knifeconditioning device.

As shown in FIG. 1, the said cooperable abutments comprise an abutment surface 71 on the knife bracket 19 and an abutment pin 72 which is threaded into the grinding motor frame 45 and secured in different adjusted positions by means of a lock nut 74. The pin 72 may have a slotted end 75 as seen in FIG. 1, to accommodate a screwdriver for convenience of adjustment.

By the provision of the cooperable abutments between the two mounting means 19 and 4-5 both said means may be shifted and adjustably positioned as a unit, without altering or varying their relative positions with respect to each other. Accordingly, the operable relationship between the knife-conditioning device and the knife blade Whenever the latter is in its retracted position will not be altered and therefore the function of the knife-conditioning device will be had at all times.

It will be understood that the abutments 71 and 72 permit advancing or right-to-left movement of the knife 18 (as effected by counterclockwise advancing movement of the knife bracket 19) independently of the knifeconditioning device comprising the grinding wheel and/ or the waxer above described. However, whenever the knife bracket 19 and the knife 18 are retracted, the latter will always be properly presented to and engaged with the conditioning device regardless of the positioning of the latter with respect to the base 12. However, altering or varying the position of the conditioning device with respect to the base 12 results in an adjustment or variation of the stroke of the knife 18, inasmuch as the abutments 71 and 72 establish an unyielding connection upon sufficient retracting movement of the knife bracket 19 and knife 18.

For the purpose of effecting a fine and accurate adjustment of the working stroke of the knife 18 through positioning of the conditioning device mounting means 45, a simple and advantageous manually operable adjustment device is provided, carried by the carriage- 12. This adjustment device comprises an adjustment arm 77 having a roller 78 at one extremity thereof, arranged to engage the underside of the rear extension or arm 61 of the mounting frame 45. The other extremity of the adjustment arm 77 is rigidly secured to a shaft 80 which is carried by bearings 81 fixed on the carriage 12. The shaft 80 has a worm Wheel 83 engaged by a worm 84 which may be actuated by a manually operable handle 85 clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The worm 84 and worm wheel 03 constitute a screw thread mechanism by which a fine turning movement of the shaft 80 may be effected. In consequence, a minute adjustment of the arm 77 may be had, thereby to adjustably position the mounting means for the conditioning device comprising the frame 45. Such adjustable positioning of the frame 45 will also be transmitted to the knife bracket 19, whereby the stroke of the knife 18 maybe varied by changing the retracted position of the said knife. During the said adjustable positioning of the mounting means 19 and 45, said means will be normally held in a predetermined relative position wherein the abutments 7.1 and 72 are engaged, by a spring device shortly to be described.

For the purpose of providing a powered advance of the knife-blade 19 on the roll 15 to cut through the latter, there is provided on the shaft 22 an actuator member 88 having an arm 89 connected by means of a link rod 90 with an air motor 91 which may be in the form of a cylinder 92 having a piston (not shown) connected with the link rod 90. The cylinder 92 may have a feed line 94 connected with it to admit air for the purpose of driving downward the piston and the link rod 90, thereby to impart counterclockwise turning movement to the actuator member 38.

The member 88 is adjustably connected to the knife bracket 19, and for this purpose the member is provided with an arcuate slot 96 accommodating a binding screw 97 which is threaded into the knife bracket as clearly seen in FIG, 1. By loosening the screw 97, the knife bracket 19 and the knife 18 may be adjustably positioned with respect to the air motor 91, as will be readily understood.

For the purpose of maintaining the piston and the link rod 90 of the air motor 91 in raised positions while the knife bracket 19 and knife 18 are adjusted with respect thereto, a spring means is provided, comprising a helical extension spring 100 at one end connected to a pin 101 on the actuator member 83 and at the other end connected to the grinding motor frame 45. The said spring 100 further functions to urge the mounting means 19 and 45 in directions toward each other, thereby to maintain 6 the abutments 71 and 72 in engagement with each other as shown in FIG. 1.

The spring locks or holds the entire knife head in position and from falling forward. Therefore the knife head is held even when, upon return, it is only carried near or in front of the center point. The actuator member 88 has a 'cam portion 103 arranged to engage an air brake valve 104 which is connected by a suitable line 105 with a supply of compressed air. The valve 104- controls a piston-operated plunger 106 arranged to engage the rail 10, thereby to lock the carriage 12 in its various indexed or advanced positions as the knife bracket 19 is brought forward.

Further, in accordance with the invention, a releasable locking link device is provided between the mounting means 19 and 45 to prevent inadvertent advancing movement of the knife blade 18 during the time that the said blade is being adjusted to the particular roll 15 which is to be cut. The said locking means comprises a link bar 107 having ratchet teeth 108 arranged for engagement with a lug 109 which is rigidly carried by the mounting means or frame 45. The link bar 107 is pivotally connected to the knife bracket 19 as seen in FIG. 1, and when the teeth 108 engage the lug 109, the knife bracket :19 is prevented from having counterclockwise turning movement independently of the grinding motor frame and the knife-conditioning device with all of the associated components carried thereby. Accordingly, the knife blade 18 is prevented from inadvertently advancing while ad justments are being made with respect to the particular roll which is to be cut.

During the normal intended operation of the knife blade 18 the said locking means is rendered inoperative, and in accomplishing this there is provided on the bracket 59 a release solenoid 112 having a plunger 113 slidably connected with the link bar 107. In the illustrated embodiment this slidable connection is attained by plunger 113 having connected to the free end thereof a plunger ring 113a through which bar 107 extends and is slidably and loosely supported therein. When the solenoid 1 12 is energized, plunger 113 and connected plunger ring 113a are retracted to hold the link bar 107 in the raised position shown, wherein the ratchet teeth 108 are maintained out of engagement with the lug 109. Accordingly, the knife bracket 19 and knife 18 will be free for advancing movement under power supplied by the air motor 91. The spring 100 locks or holds the knife head (knife 18 and bracket 19) from falling forward when it is near or beyond a vertical center point, during the cutting operation. It counterbalances the weight of the knife and bracket, to an extent, in accomplishing this. During advance of the knife the knife-conditioning device and the mounting means 45 thereof remain stationary in adjusted position by virtue of their weight, as determined by the adjustment arm 77. By a reciprocal movement of the air motor 91 the knife bracket 19 and knife 18 will be returned to their retracted positions wherein the knife-conditioning device comprising the grinding Wheel 36 and the waxing elements 56 and 57 will engage the knife blade to sharpen and lubricate the same. It will be understood that the waxer solenoid 67 is energized to effect the waxing of the blade, and that the grinding motor 38 may be continuously energized, always running at full speed during operation of the machine.

As different rolls 15 are placed in the machine, having larger or smaller diameters, and as required by the particular slitting operations being performed, adjustment of the stroke of the knife blade 18 and knife bracket 19 may be effected by turning the adjustment handle 85. By such means the cycle of operation of the machine may be shortened, where small diameter rolls are involved, resulting in an appreciable saving of time. Adjustment of the stroke, as above mentioned, will not render inoperative the knife-conditioning device comprising the grinding wheel 36 and waxer elements 56 and 57, inasmuch as the stroke adjustment involves repositioning of the mounting means 45 for such conditioning device.

By virtue of the provision of the swing plate 39 and cooper-able motor bracket it together with the dovetail mounting of the bracket on the grinding motor frame 45 the grinding wheel 35 may be presented at the desired angle to the knife 18 and advanced thereon as required to compensate for wear of the grinding wheel and knife. Also, by proper adjustment of the abutment stud '72 the necessary take-up may be had to compensate for Wear of the knife blade 19.

It will be readily understood from the foregoing that there has been provided by the present invention an improved mechanism for slitting rolls of sheet material, wherein the stroke of the cutting blade may be easily and quickly adjusted to obtain the minimum possible cycling time. The mechanism is relatively simple in construction, and reliable and foolproof in its operation. A simple means is provided to enable re-adjustment to compensate for wear of the knife blade 19 and the grinding wheel 36. Also, a novel safety means is provided which prevents inadvertent advancing movement of the knife blade when the latter is being adjusted to the particular roll which is to be cut.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of the claims, and portions of the improvement may be used without others.

We claim:

1. In an apparatus for cutting off portions of rolls of cloth and the like, a rotary knife; a base; movable means including a pivot device pivotally mounting said knife on the base about a given axis for advancing cutting movement in one direction and retracting movement in the opposite direction; a knife conditioning device adapted for engagement with the knife when the latter is in retracted position; movable means including a pivot device pivotally mounting said conditioning device for movement with respect to the said base, both said mounting means being angularly movable about their respective pivot axes toward and away from each other; cooperable abutments on both said mounting means for halting the same in a predetermined relative position When the mounting means are moved toward each other; and manually-operable adjustment means connected with the mounting means for the knife-conditioning device for effecting an adjustable positioning of the said conditioning device and knife by simultaneously shifting both the said mounting means about their respective pivot axes when the abutments thereof are engaged, means for releasably locking said knife mounting means to said knife conditioning mounting means, and means for rendering said locking means operative to prevent inadvertent advancing movement of said knife While affecting adjustment of said adjustment means.

2. In an apparatus for cutting off portions of rolls of cloth and the like, a rotary knife; a base; movable means including a pivot device pivotally mounting said knife on the base about a given axis for an operative advancing cutting movement in one direction and retracting inoperative cutting movement in the opposite direction during operation of said knife; a knife conditioning device adapted for engagement with the knife when the latter is in retracted position only; movable means including said pivot device pivotally mounting said conditioning device for relative angular movement with respect to the said knife and said base about said given axis, both said mounting means being movable toward and away from each other; and said knife mounting means being pivoted for relative angular movement with respect to said conditioning device mounting means about said axis during the advancing cutting movement; cooperable abutments on both said mounting means, for halting the same in a predetermined relative position when the mounting means are moved toward each other; and manually-operable adjustment means connected with the mounting means for the knife-conditioning device, for effecting an adjustable positioning of both said conditioning device and knife Simultaneously by pivoting both said mounting means about said axis when the abutments thereof are engaged.

3. In an apparatus for cutting off portions of rolls of cloth and the like, a rotary knife; a base; movable means including a pivot device pivotally mounting said knife on the base about a given axis for advancing cutting movement in one direction and retracting movement in the opposite direction; a knife conditioning device adapted for engagement with the knife when the latter is in retracted position; movable means including the said pivot device pivotally mounting said conditioning device for relative angular movement with respect to both said knife and base about said given axis, both said mounting means being movable toward and away from each other; and said knife mounting means being pivoted for relative angular movement with respect to said knife conditioning device mounting means about said axis during the advancing cutting movement; cooperable abutments on both said mounting means, for halting the same in a predetermined relative position when the mounting means are moved toward each other; and manually-operable adjustment means having a locking-type screw drive mechanism connected With the mounting means for the knife-conditioning device, for effecting an adjustable positioning of the said conditioning device and knife by simultaneously pivoting both the said mounting means when the abutments thereof are engaged about said given axis, said conditioning device adjustment means including a shaft connected to said base and actuated by the said screw drive mechanism, and including an arm on said shaft, engaging the said means which mounts the conditioning device.

4. In an apparatus for cutting off portions of rolls of cloth and the like, a rotary knife; a base; movable means mounting said knife on the base for advancing cutting movement in one direction and retracting movement in the opposite direction; a knife conditioning device adapted for engagement with the knife when the latter is in retracted position; movable means mounting said conditioning device for movement with respect to the said base, both said mounting means being movable toward and away from each other; cooperable abutments on both said mounting means, for halting the same in a predetermined relative position when the mounting means are moved toward each other; and manually-operable adjustment means connected with the mounting means for the knifeconditioning device, for effecting an adjustable p0- sitioning of the said conditioning device and knife by simultaneously shifting both the said mounting means when the abutments thereof are engaged, said knife-mounting means and conditioning device mounting means both being pivotally movable about a common axis; a linkage extending between the knife mounting means and conditioning device mounting means for preventing inadvertent unidirectional relative movement therebetween when the knife is out of use; and means for releasably connecting said linkage to one of said mounting means whereby the knife may be released for use.

5. in an apparatus for cutting off portions of rolls of cloth and the like, a rotary knife; a base; movable means including a pivot device, pivotally mounting said knife on the base about a given axis for advancing cutting movement in one direction and retracting movement in the opposite direction; a knife conditioning device adapted for engagement with the knife when the latter is in retracted position; movable means mounting said conditioning device for movement with respect to the said base and about said given axis, both said mounting mean being movable toward and away from each other; cooperable abutments on both said mounting means, for halting the same in a predetermined relative position when the mounting means are moved toward each other; and manuallyoperable adjustment means connected with the mounting means for the knife-conditioning device, for effecting an adjustable positioning of the said conditioning device and knife by shifting both the said mounting means when the abutments thereof are engaged, said knife-mounting means and conditioning device mounting means both having a common pivot means at said given axis; a linkage extending between the knife mounting means and conditioning device mounting means for preventing inadvertent unidirectional relative movement therebetween when the knife is out of use; and means including a powered latch device for releasably connecting said linkage to one of said mounting means whereby the knife may be released for use.

6. In an apparatus for cutting off portions of rolls of cloth and the like, a rotary knife; a base; movable means including a pivot device pivotally mounting said knife on the base about a given axis for advancing cutting movement in one direction and retracting non-cutting movement in the opposite direction; a knife conditioning device adapted for engagement with the knife when the latter is in retracted non-cutting position; movable means including said pivot device pivotally mounting said conditioning device for relative angular movement with respect to both said knife and base about said given axis, both said mounting means being relatively movable toward and away from each other; and said knife mounting means being pivoted for relative angular movement with respect to said conditioning device mounting means about said axis during the advancing cutting movement cooperable abutments on both said mounting means, for halting the same in a predetermined relative position when the mounting means are moved toward each other; and manuallyoperable adjustment means connected with the mounting means for the knife-conditioning device, for effecting an adjustable positioning of both said conditioning device and knife by simultaneously pivoting both the said mounting means when the abutments thereof are engaged; and means for .adjustably positioning one of said abutments, to alter the said predetermined relative position of the knife mounting means and conditioning device mounting means.

7. In an apparatus for cutting off portions of rolls of cloth and the like, a rotary knife; a base; movable means including a pivot device pivotally mounting said knife on the base about a given axis for advancing cutting movement in one direction and retracting movement in the opposite direction; a knife conditioning device adapted for engagement with the knife when the latter is in retracted position; movable means including said pivot device pivotally mounting said conditioning device for relative angular movement with respect to both said knife and base about said axis, both said mounting means being movable angularly toward and away from each other; and said knife mounting means being pivoted for relative angular movement with respect to said conditioning device mounting means about said axis during the advancing cutting movement cooperable abutments on both said mounting means, for halting the same in a predetermined relative angular position when the mounting means are angularly moved toward each other; and manually-operable adjustment means connected with the mounting means for the knifeconditioning device, for effecting an adjustable angular positioning of the said conditioning device and knife by simultaneously pivoting both the said mounting means about said axis when the abutments thereof are engaged; an automatic actuator member adapted to be connected to the knife mounting means, having a working stroke between advanced and retracted positions in a direction to shift the said knife-mounting means angularly so as to advance the knife relative said conditioning device; and a spring device connected between said actuator member and said conditioning device mounting means, tending to effect unidirectional relative angular movement therebetween in a direction which is opposite to the working stroke of the actuator member.

8. In an apparatus for cutting off portions of rolls of cloth and the like, a rotary knife; a base; movable means including a pivot device pivotally mounting said knife on the base about a given axis for advancing cutting move ment in one direction during operation of said knife and retracting movement in the opposite direction; a knife conditioning device adapted for engagement with the knife when the latter is in retracted position; movable means including said pivot pivotally mounting said conditioning device for movement with respect to the said base about said axis, both said mounting means being movable toward and away from each other; and said knife mounting means being pivoted for relative angular movement with respect to said conditioning device mounting means about said axis during the advancing cutting movement cooperable abutments on both said mounting means, for halting the same in a predetermined relative position when the mounting means are moved toward each other; and manually-operable adjustment means connected with the mounting means for the knife-conditioning device, for effecting an adjustable positioning of the said conditioning device and knife by simultaneously pivoting both the said mounting means when the abutments thereof are engaged about said axis; an actuator member adapted to be connected to the knife mounting means, having a working stroke between advanced and retracted positions in a direction to shift the said knife-mounting means so as to advance the knife; and a spring device connected between said actuator member and said conditioning device mounting means, tending to effect unidirectional relative movement therebetween in a direction which is opposite to the working stroke of the actuator member; and an adjustable releasable locking connection between said actuator member and knife mounting means to enable said member and knife mounting means to occupy different relative positions, said spring device maintaining the actuator member in retracted position when said locking connection is released.

9. In an apparatus for cutting off portions of rolls of cloth and the like, a rotary knife; a base; movable means mounting said knife on the base for advancing cutting movement in one direction and retracting movement in the opposite direction; a knife conditioning device adapted for engagement with the knife when the latter is in retracted position; movable means mounting said conditioning device for movement with respect to the said base, both said mounting means being movable toward and :away from each other; cooperable abutments on both said mounting means, for halting the same in a predetermined relative position when the mounting means are moved toward each other; and manually-operable adjust ment means connected with the mounting means for the knife-conditioning device, for effecting an adjustable positioning of the said conditioning device and knife by simultaneously shifting both the said mounting means when the abutments thereof are engaged; an actuator member adapted to be connected to the knife mounting means, having a working stroke between advanced and retracted positions in a direction to shift the said knife-mounting means so as to advance the knife; and a spring device connected between said actuator member and said conditioning device mounting means, tending to effect unidirectional relative movement thercbetween in a direction which is opposite to the working stroke of the actuator member; and an adjustable releasable locking connection between said actuator member and knife mounting means to enable said member and means to occupy different relative positions, said spring device maintaining the actuator member in retracted position when said locking connection is released and the said locking connection comprising engaging portions of the actuator member and knife mounting means, one of said portions having a slot and the other portion having a clamping screw passing through said slot.

10. In an apparatus for cutting off portions of rolls of cloth and the like, a rotary knife; a base; movable means including a pivot device, pivotally mounting said knife on the base about a given axis for advancing cutting movement in one direction and retracting movement in the opposite direction; a knife conditioning device adapted for engagement with the knife when the latter is in retracted position; and movable means including the said pivot device, pivotally mounting said conditioning device for movement with respect to the said base about the said given axis, a linkage extending between the knife mounting means and conditioning device mounting means for preventing inadvertent unidirectional relative movement therebetween when the knife is out of use, and means including a powered latch device for releasably connecting said linkage to one of said mounting means whereby the knife may be released for use.

11. In an apparatus for cutting off portions of rolls of cloth and the like, a rotary knife; a base; movable means including a pivot device, pivotally mounting said knife on the base about a given axis for advancing cutting movement in one direction and retracting movement in the opposite direction; a knife conditioning device adapted for engagement with the knife when the latter is in retracted position; and movable means including the said pivot device, pivotally mounting said conditioning device for movement with respect to the said base about the said given axis, both said mounting means being movable toward and away from each other, a linkage extending between the knife mounting means and conditioning device mounting means for preventing inadvertent unidirectional relative movement therebetween when the knife is out of use, and means including a powered latch device for releasably connecting said linkage to one of said mounting means whereby the knife may be released for use.

12. In an apparatus for cutting off portions of rolls of cloth and the like, a rotary knife; a base; movable means mounting said knife on the base for advancing cutting movement in one direction and retracting movement in the opposite direction; a knife conditioning device adapted for engagement with the knife when the latter is in retracted position; movable means mounting said conditioning device for movement with respect to the said base, both said mounting means being movable toward and away from each other; cooperable abutments on both said mounting means, for halting the same in a predetermined relative position when the mounting means are moved toward each other; and manually-operable adjustment means connected with the mounting means for the knife-conditioning device, for effecting an "adjustable positioning of the said conditioning device and knife by shifting both the said mounting means when the abutments thereof are engaged; an actuator member adapted to be connected to the knife mounting means, having a working stroke between advanced and retracted positions in a direction to shift the said knife nounting means so as to advance the knife; and a spring device connected between said actuator member and said conditioning device mounting means, tending to effect unidirectional relative movement therebetween in a direction which is opposite to the working stroke of the actuator member, said actuator member, knife mounting means and conditioning device mounting means being all pivotally movable about a common axis which is fixed with respect to the base.

13. In an apparatus for cutting off portions of rolls of cloth and the like, a rotary knife; a base; movable means including a pivot device, pivotally mounting said knife on the base about a given axis for advancing cutting movement in one direction and retracting movement in the opposite direction; a knife conditioning device adapted for engagement with the knife when the latter is in retracted position; movable means mounting said conditioning device for movement with respect to the said base and about said given axis, both said mounting means being movable toward and away from each other; cooperable abutments on both said mounting means, for halting the same in a predetermined relative position when the mounting means are moved toward each other; and manually-operable adjustment means connected with the mounting means for the knife-conditioning device, for effecting an adjustable positioning of the said conditioning device and knife by shifting both the said mounting means when the abutments thereof are engaged, said knife-mounting means and conditioning device mounting means both having a common pivot means at said given axis; a linkage extending between the knife mounting means and conditioning device mounting means for preventing inadvertent unidirectional relative movement therebetween when the knife is out of use; and means for releasably connecting said linkage to one of said mounting means whereby the knife may be released for use; and a spring device connected with both the said mounting means, tending to prevent the same unidirectional movement therebetween which the said linkage prevents.

14. In an apparatus for cutting off portions of rolls of cloth and the like, a rotary knife; a base; movable means including a pivot device, pivotally mounting said knife on the base about a given axis for advancing cutting movement in one direction and retracting movement in the opposite direction; a knife conditioning device adapted for engagement with the knife when the latter is in retracted position; movable means mounting said conditioning device for movement with respect to the said base and about said given axis, both said mounting means being movable toward and away from each other; cooperable abutments on both said mounting means, for halting the sarne in a predetermined relative position when the mounting means are moved toward each other; and manually-operable adjustment means connected with the mounting means for the knife-conditioning device, for effecting an adjustable positioning of the said conditioning device and knife by shifting both the said mounting means when the abutments thereof are engaged, said knife-mounting means and conditioning device mounting means both having a common pivot means at said given axis; a linkage extending between the knife mounting means and conditioning device mounting means for preventing inadvertent unidirectional relative movement therebetween when the knife is out of use; and means for releasably connecting said linkage to one of said mounting means whereby the knife may be released for use; and a spring device connected with both the said mounting means, tending to prevent the same unidirectional movement therebetween which the said linkage prevents, said linkage comprising a ratchet bar on one of said mounting means and a lug engaged by said bar and carried by the other mounting means.

15. In an apparatus for cutting off portions of rolls of cloth and the like, a frame, a base movably mounted on said frame, a rotary knife, movable means mounting said knife on the base for advancing cutting movement in one direction and retracting movement in the opposite direction; a knife conditioning device adapted for engagement with the knife when the latter is in retracted position; movable means mounting said conditioning device for movement with respect to the said base, both said mounting means being movable toward and away from each other; cooperable abutments on both said mounting means for halting the same in a predetermined relative position when the mounting means are moved toward each other; manually-operable adjustment means connected with the mounting means for the knife-conditioning device for effecting an adjustable positioning of the said conditioning device and knife by shifting both the said mounting means when the abutments thereof are engaged; an actuator member adapted to be connected to the knife mounting means, said actuator having a working stroke between advanced and retracted positions in a direction to shift the said knife-mounting means so as to advance the knife; :a spring device connected between said actuator member and said conditioning device mounting means tending to effect unidirectional relative movement therebetween in a direction which is opposite to the working stroke of the actuator member; motive 5 means connected to said actuator member for unidirectionally driving the same to shift the knife mounting means and knife in advancing direction, a braking valve actuated by said actuator member, and 'a brake means controlled by said valve for locking said 'base in diiferent 10 positions on said frame.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Jones Dec. 3, Judelshon Oct. 9, J'udelshon Dec. 27, Judelshon Mar. 27, Judeishon Dec. 28, Lornazzo Dec. 8, 

1. IN AN APPARATUS FOR CUTTING OFF PORTIONS OF ROLLS OF CLOTH AND THE LIKE, A ROTARY KNIFE; A BASE; MOVABLE MEANS INCLUDING A PIVOT DEVICE PIVOTALLY MOUNTING SAID KNIFE ON THE BASE ABOUT A GIVEN AXIS FOR ADVANCING CUTTING MOVEMENT IN ONE DIRECTION AND RETRACTING MOVEMENT IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION; A KNIFE CONDITIONING DEVICE ADAPTED FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH THE KNIFE WHEN THE LATTER IS IN RETRACTED POSITION; MOVABLE MEANS INCLUDING A PIVOT DEVICE PIVOTALLY MOUNTING SAID CONDITIONING DEVICE FOR MOVEMENT WITH RESPECT TO THE SAID BASE, BOTH SAID MOUNTING MEANS BEING ANGULARLY MOVABLE ABOUT THEIR RESPECTIVE PIVOT AXES TOWARD AND AWAY FROM EACH OTHER; COOPERABLE ABUTMENTS ON BOTH SAID MOUNTING MEANS FOR HALTING THE SAME IN A PREDETERMINED RELATIVE POSITION WHEN THE MOUNTING MEANS ARE MOVED TOWARD EACH OTHER; AND MANUALLY-OPERABLE ADJUSTMENT MEANS CONNECTED WITH THE MOUNTING MEANS FOR THE KNIFE-CONDITIONING DEVICE FOR EFFECTING AN ADJUSTABLE POSITIONING OF THE SAID CONDITIONING DEVICE AND KNIFE BY SIMULTANEOUSLY SHIFTING BOTH THE SAID MOUNTING MEANS ABOUT THEIR RESPECTIVE PIVOT AXES WHEN THE ABUTMENTS THEREOF ARE ENGAGED, MEANS FOR RELEASABLY LOCKING SAID KNIFE MOUNTING MEANS TO SAID KNIFE CONDITIONING MOUNTING MEANS, AND MEANS FOR RENDERING SAID LOCKING MEANS OPERATIVE TO PREVENT INADVERTENT ADVANCING MOVEMENT OF SAID KNIFE WHILE AFFECTING ADJUSTMENT OF SAID ADJUSTMENT MEANS. 